Shirt folding table



Feb. 13. 1945. K 2,369,607

7 SHIRT FOLDING TABLE Filed Aug. 21, 1941 5 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 13, 1945; R, J, Rl K 2,369,607

SHIRT FOLDING TABLE Filed Aug. 21, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 13; 1945. R J, RIECK 2,369,607

SHIRT FOLDING TABLE Fild Aug. 21, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet s 5 Sheets-Slieqt 4 Feb. 13, 1945. J. RlECK SHIRT FOLDING TABLE Filed Aug. 21, 1941 Feb. 13,1945. RJ, RECK 2,369507 SHIRT FOLDING TABLE Filed Aug. 21, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I l I x k r Patented Feb. 13, 1945 v .e-" xri.

' UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE migiiit I f f Roy J. Rieck; Chicagm-J L, eassig 'r m Bishop 00., Chicago, 111., 'acorporatioriof Illi- H nois 1 Application August 21, 1941, Serial No. 407,771

' 39 Claims. 49223-37) This invention relates to shirt was tables e and more particularly to a novel method of operation as well as apparatus for carrying out the folding of shirts and like garments in factories or in laund'ries. 5 An important object is' to provide means for carrying out-such folding operation in a more still on the shirt folding board, in a direction perpendicularfrom the table to prevent. the

breaking of the collar as it is withdrawn from the collar former or'expander. Heretofore in the folding of shirts, difficulty has been experienced generally in laying the shirts upon the table so that the center line defined by the button strip will remain in align-- ment with the collar'or neckband as the shirt is folded. Due to the inability to control the accu-.

racy of the operator at the speed required in an operation of this kind, approximation was the general rule followed by the operator in placing pander and the shirt is fol'ded'about the natural center line of the shirt. ."1

- This invention is more specifically directed to novel centering and aligning means and to an actuator that effects'expansion of the collarand;

neckband former and movement of a. clamp into v shirt gripping position as soon as the button stripof the shirt has been brought into relation with the centering and aligning means. The op-;

- eration. is .preferably automatic with respectfto the action of the collar former 'in expanding within the collar of'the shirt and the action of the clamp to grip the shirt at the opposite end as the operatorspreads the shirt upon the ta'bleqa'nd brings the button-strip in proper centering rela-' tion'.. The ,action' of the collar and neckband former is practically simultaneous with; if not adjustment-oftheicollar and centering of the I button strip are obtained. .Thus, ,the shirt will the shirt upon the table for foldingwiththe result that generally a very undesirable finished and method of operation th-atl'a'ssure accuracy by the operator as well as increased speed without sacrificing this accuracy, the operator being compolled by the use of ordinary 'care only to alignthe button strip. forming the center line of the shirt with the collar; and thereafter; withoutdislodging the same, complete the'folding, so that a; shirt folded in the manner herein disclosed presents not-only a heater, more attractive and a; better finished product, but one which is more v comfortable'to the customer for wearing pur--&

poses, since the collar is kept intact in its natural be properly positioned before held upon the table and this proper centering will be assured be fore" the collar former andclamp are operated.

Additional advantages may be obtained, inz-ahv structure of the type disclosed by the provision of novel operating mechanism-that will effect a pro-"'- determined sequence of operation of thenp'artsLw If so desired, the collar'formermay be 'released andmovedto contracted position in timed-rela tion to the'lifting of:.the shirt forming board and the operating parts may be thereby conditioned. I I

for subsequent folding operation. The arrange-'- ment effects contractionof. the collar former, however, before the board is lifted, but;v in so v doing,.the, operating connection of the collar sures exceptional .accuracy by the operator and the production of a finished product which is con-.1 formed condition by'the collar former. or ex-..55;f:? sistently -'a'ccptab1e and ofuniform appearance-.1

formeris conditioned for actuation into an ex-w pande'd position when the actuator on the table; is again engaged; The. operating mechanism will; alsoreturn the shirt forming board to itsoriginah position without further attention: by the oper ator so that his board will'be ready for immediate usejin'thefoldin'g of the next shirt. r

A further object of the invention resides in the. simple form and arrangement of parts, as well the type of efficient structure provided, that asscription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a shirt folding table embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is a view of one end of the shirt. folding table, the shirt folding board being shown tilted...

away from the bed of the tablev and; a. portion of the pedestal being broken away to illustrate the foot pedal and the air valve which is actuated I thereby;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged bottom view of. the tabl to illustrate the air connections adapted to operate the moving parts; x

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view ill'ustratingthe mechanismpermitting ready' and easyalignment of the button. strip after the. collar of the shirt is inserted about the. collar former, and the: actuator which the operator automatically operateswhile aligning the buttonstrip with this:

mechanism,v this view also showing the clamping.

device that is actuated. togrip the lower portion of. the shirt as; soon. as the operator touches the. actuator;

Fig. 6 is: aview partly in. section and: partly in elevation. of the structure shownirr 5:;

Fig. 7 i an. enlarged detail sectional view taken along line 1-1 of; Fig. 4 to illustrate the. air controlled operating; mechanism for the. various. movable. parts;

Figs 8' is an enlarged sectional view taken. on. line 8--8 of Fig. 7;.

Fig, 9 isv a. similar view taken along line 9'-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 illustrates a shirt in dotted lines laid. upon the table to show the position. of certain: part which follow the operation of centering. or aligning the button strip;

Fig. 11 is a. similar view but with the shirt folded about the shirt folding board; and

Fig. 12: illustrates the. shirt foldingboard and the. shirt folded thereon being lifted vertically be varied by adjusting knob 3- which adjusts" pedestal 2. The base flares. outwardly at thev bottom of pedestal 2 and has an opening therein at the front to allow pedal 4 to project forwardly in a position conveniently accessible to the.

operator.

Near on end of the table, bed I is cut away or recessed to provide a cavity 5 shaped to. correspond with the. collar" and neckband er a shirt. andas large or slightly larger thanithe largest.v

sire shirt. An expansible collar and neckband former B of any suitable type. whichis expanded into the collar and neckband of the. shirt when.

the latter is spread upon the table is disposed in recess 5. Illustrative of a former that may be used, although it will be understood that any. particular former may be employed, a stationary" body portion! is provided with a bolt 8 passing:- through an openingv in the bed and secured thereto by a nut 9. This stationary body portion is provided with guideways for a series of movable members, the movement of which along said guideways enables the former to be expanded or contracted, as desired. The expanding portions of the collar and neckband former 6 include a front portion I0 curved to fit the front and side portions of the collar and neckband and a recess. II in its front to. receive the front collar button.. This front member of theformer has a base or body provided with a T slot to receive a guiding T rib l2 of the base 1 along which member Ill slides (Fig. 8). It also carries one or more depending; pins 13, which pass through elongated ber ll! of the former.

openings in, base 1. I

The. collar and neckband former also includes two rearad'justable. members l4 having T slots to receive laterally extending T ribs I5 on base I,

so: that said members have lateral movement toward and. away from each other on the base. Each of said members is connected by a link |:8'(Fig?. 1.0) to the short: arm of a. bell crank lever I1 pivotedat l8 upon base-"l, the longer arms. of the two levers H having curved slots t9 to receive a pin 20v carried by the front mem- The arrangement. isv such thatasv the front member ID? is; moved back and forth; along its; guideway' on the, base 1, it turnsthebell crank levers. l1 and produces correspond-1 ing movement of the two members 14 inwardly and outwardly of the base. Movement. of the. frontportion H) therefore produces an expanding' or contracting movement of; all. of the movable members. of the former;

Depending pins I3 aresecured: at. their lower ends: in bracket members l8" and IS, the former I bracket 23 forming. part of the framework ofthe table, and part way along rod2| is ano-thercollar .24 adjustablycarriedv thereon by means of a set screw 25 for varying the pressure of aspring 26 confined onthis. rod between bracket. l8 and collar 24. Bracket lfl is also provided with an operating connection, but, in this instance, this operating connection is in theiorm of a. piston rod. 28 fixed in. bracket l9 at one end and having piston head 29 at the. other end. Piston head 29 operates in an air cylinder 30-adapted to be charged. on the, opposite side through a hose connection 3|. Charging cylinder 30 moves piston head 29.1;0 theleft, as viewed in'Fig. 7,,

and compresses spring, 26 by moving ,both brackets l8" and J9" and also pins IS in the same direction. such movement of pins 131 causes front member ID and the two side members I4 of the former to contract and remain contracted as long as cylinder 3|] remains charged. Mechanism to be hereinafter described causes theair to bleed from cylinder 30,1 which causes spring- 26; to expand these front and side membersof the former when a collar and/or neckb and of' a shirt is placed thereover in recess" 5 and the shirt spread upon the bed, and properly centered or aligned with this collar and/or neckband. It will be understood that whenever the word collar is used or the word neckband isv used, the-meaning is not to be restricted,-because shirts-having attached collars may be folded on the machine herein disclosed' equallyas well, as shirts provided with necle bands only. y

I cause actuator to be depressed sufliciently to ac-' At or near the other end of bed I is onecr more transparent windows disposed therein prefer'ably lying flush with the upper surface of the bed or slightly raised therefrom. Two such windows 35 and 35 are shown spaced apart a distance, which; in one o'fthe preferred embodiments of the invention, is equal to the width o'f'the button strip 31 (Fig; along the front of the shirt; This is; of course,not, necessary, but has'its advantages if adopted. Beneath windows 35' and 35 is an electric lamp 38, or equivalent illumi nator, controlled by a' source, such as switch 39. An actuator 40' is also disposed in bed I, but between windows 35 and 36 and in movable relation so that a slight touch'by the handof the operator will depress the same. The construction of actuator 40 and its mounting'will be readily seen in Figs. '5 and 6. It is preferably an' elongated bar provided with a 'de-' pending bracket 4| at the inner end, WhichJby means of'a pin 42, pivotally mounts this'bar upon a bracket 43 secured to a frame member 44. Bar 40 also rests upon head 46 of an arm 41 ex tending to one side so as to be pivotally carried by a pin .48 upon a bracket 49 suitably secured within the body of the table. Arm 41 is in the nature of a link that extends beyond pivot point 48 andthrough the rearface of-the table-body and terminates in a threaded enlargement 50. An adjustable member, such asa bolt 5|, extends upwardly adjacent a shirt clamp 52. J This shirt clamp 52 is preferably'pivoted'a 53 to abracket 54 mounted along the corner edge of one end face of the table; as shown in- Fig. '1,

' the clamp 52 being of gooseneck shape so that its free front end 55 extends at an angle'to'lay in front of win dows35 and 35 and actuator 40 but without interfering, when it drops about itspivot 53rto shirt gripping position, with the hand of the operator centering the button strip 3'l between windows 35 and 35, as shown in Fig. 10. Anovercenter acting spring 56 causes clamp 52 to drop into its shirt gripping position when' a' projection,5| thereon is thrown up by the tilting move ment ofbolt 5| carried on link 41, engageable by actuator 40. This spring 55 moreover functions to hold 'clampf52iiniits vertical position as shown indotted lines in Fig. 6, when the clamp is manually lifted to such shirt engaging position.

A depending arm 60 is carried bybrackt 4| secured tofithe underside of actuator lllfzlThe lower end of arm. 60 is adapted to engage apin 5| carrying an exhaust valve 62 lying in anair cylinder 53 mounted inthe lower endof bracket 44. A spring 64 normally'keeps valve62 seated while a spring 65,normallykeepsdepending. arm'- position from'its tuate clamp 52' into shirt gripping position, as showninFig. 6,-by raising bolt 5| and flipping the clamp far enough about its pivot 53 to cause the over-center acting spring 56' to complete the movement and hold the clamp firmly against the shirt. Actuator 40 will also, when thus depressed;

engagepin BI and move it inwardly to unseat valve 62 and bleed air lines 56 and 3| and air c'ylinder 3ll. 7

Reducing the air pressure in cylinder 30 allows spring 2 6 to move pins l3 of the collar and neckband former to the right and expand bed I, the arrangement novelly permitting the I the front member ID aand the two-rear adjustable members l4 of the former. It will be noted; therefore, that this former isadapted'to expand within the neckband and collar of the shirt as the latter is being spread and centered upon former to expand approximately at the same time or slightlyin advance of clamp 52 dropping into position to grip the shirt. Whetherthe former in non-actuab,le position; By a suitablenipi ple connection, air cylinder 63 connects'with'an air line 66 leading to a T connection. 6|{ which communicates also with air line 3|"and "an air supply pipe 58, a check valve 59 being interposed between air lines-3| and 65 and supply-pipe .68

to permit the air to flowin one 'direction' 'only' into air lines 3| and56. :It will be observed that actuator 40 is mounted to lieslightly raised-or in extendedposition with respeCt'tO'the top surface of the table or bed I and that it is soposi; tioned that itwill readily tilt downwardlylaboutpivotal mounting 42. The arrangement may vary and-:the parts may be so proportioned that the slightest -.touch by the hand of the'operator, as" she moves her hand across the bed l when bring-' ing the button strip 31 into centering position between. transparent windows 35 and 36, will 6 expands simultaneously with or slightly in advanceof clamp 52 gripping the shirt is a matter of choice but it is found that the work of the operator in spreading and centering'the shirt upon bed I is facilitated and accuracyfmade more certain if the operating parts described causes dependingarmfill to unseat exhaust valve 52 and exhaust the air in air lines 3| and 55 beforelever arm 4'! completes its movement to lift bolt 5| suificiently to throw clamp 52 and for spring '55 to complete the swinging movement of clamp 52. Thus, former 5 maybe expanded suificiently in advance of the action of clamp 52 to assure that the button strip 31 of the shirt has been straightened and pulled taut-before clamp 52 grips the shirt near the tailend, 'as

illustrated in Fig. 10. I

It isfurther pointed out that the novel arrangement of the parts thus far described has for an additional advantage a tendency to aid the operator in thework of centering a shirt and;

assure that accuracy is obtained. The shirt is laid with the' front thereof upon bed I and the collar or neckband is inserted in recess 5 about the front and rear members l5 .and 14 of former '6; Atthistime, former 6 is in its contracted position. as shown'in Fig. 2, and clamp 52 is raised. .As the operator spreads the shirt upon? bed I- and grips the button strip 31 to bring the that-when the lower end of button strip 31 ,is:

brought between windows 35 and 35; the entire,

shirt has been properly centered whereupo'n'com' tact with actuator 40 instantly expands the former and holds the shirt at the collar or neckband end so that the operator may continue in pulling] the shirtgtaut as clamp 52 is caused to swing, downwardly into shirt gripping position. The

action of these operating parts may be made rapid so that to the eye it would appear that both,

the former 5 and the clamp 52 operate immediately upon contact with actuator ,40.

Adjacent the collar and "neckband opening; 5: and near the end of bed I is a vertically movable carriage designated broadly as 15. to which is' pivotally attached a shirt folding board 16 Carriage l5'is adapted to move up anddown in ja;

plane, perpendicular, tovbed andfshirt folding board 16 is also adapted to pivotally. move with;- respect to the carriage after this board is moved tudinal center line of board 16. I

of the shirt are successively folded over the Ion-- to the; dottedline position-shown in Fig. 7.- Carriage 15 comprises rods I1 and 18. secured to movable end posts Hand 88. Each post is pro-. vided at its lower end with a-rod 8|. extending into an air chamber 82 and having a piston head at its lower end. Each air cylinder 82 may bersuitably carried by the framework of the table. In this connectiombrackets 84 may be provided and carried by a plate 85 forming part of frame member 86. The upper end of each cylinder may have a tightly fitted cap 81 driven thereinto and through which rod 8| moves. The lower end of each cylinder 82 may receive a fitting 88 into which air lines 89 are threaded and connectby a: singlepipe 98 to an air release valve 9| controlling the air supply to cylinders 82 by air supply pipes 88. Upward movement of end posts 19 and 88 is determined by the length of a sleeve 82 disposed about rod 8I. Air entering cylinders 82- lifts piston heads 83 against the tension of springs 93 in cylinders 82, which springs 93 functionto lower the piston heads 83-. when air is enhausted fromv cylinders 82, and to cushion the upward movement of piston heads against shock.

At the opposite ends of lower rod I8 of carriage I5 sleeves 94 are pivotally mounted to carry brackets 95 into which rods 96 are threaded for supporting counterweights 91., plate-like brackets 98 are disposed on the sleeves 94 opposite brackets 95 and the shirt folding board I8 may be secured to brackets 98 by rivets orother suitable means. When carriage has been raised, shirt folding board 16 may be swung upon its pivotal mounting comprising the bracket sleeves 94 on said lower rod I8 to its raised position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The counterweights 9! function to hold board I6 in its raised position until the next folding operation.

"Any suitable type of clamp I88 may be. employed adjacent the hinged end of the shirt folding board 15 for the purpose of holding the folded-over portions of the shirt adjacent the collar while the'tail of theshirt is being folded upwardly and over the end of this folding board. If this clamp is carried. upon board 18, its U? shaped mounting bracket I8I may be mounted upon board 16 instead of bed I directly behindrfods l1 and [8 of carriage 15. By also making clamp I88 transversely of U-shaped formation 50- that its sides extend downwardly to pivot upon the upstanding ears of bracket I8I-, an interior space within is provided to receive an over-center acting spring I82, one end of this spring being secured at I83 to the underside of the clamp at its top and the other end of the spring being secured at. I84 to the horizontal leg of bracket IIll.

in the opposite directiom' It is preferable that,-

the clamp engage symmetrically along the longigitudinal edges. of the board, which is after the shirt has been centered and looked upon bed L- by the expansion of. the neckband former and movement of clamp 52 into operative position and each sleeve is folded to extend longitudinally of the board, the operator'snaps clamp I88 about its pivot to mechanically hold theneckband and shoulder portions whereby to leave the hands of By reason of the. clamps dimensions and; the location of the securement of this spring, the. latter will cause the clamp to remain both-in- When the sides a aeaaov.

the --operator free to tightly and transversely draw the .midportions of the shirt about the board andto then fold upwardly over the lower edge the tail portion of the shirt. Clamp I88 may be then slightly raised and, the tail end of the shirt slipped thereunder, after which this clamp is returned to its full operative position for holding Substantially fiat the tail as Well as the previously mentioned portions of the shirt. Both hands of the operator are now free to band the shirt by means of bands lying in a transversely extending channel or pocket I86 disposed in bed I. The floor I81 of channel I86 is provided with transverse slots $88 to receive spring-pressed screws I89 extending upwardly through these slotsinto a movable adjusting block I I8. The distance a between inside face III and block III) indicates the width of the band that may be used. Hence, any width of bandmay be employed by adjusting block I I8.- The air release valve 9I in air line 98 between. air supply pipe 68 and air cylinders 82 of the vertically moving carriage I5 carrying the shirt fold.- ing board I6 includes an assembly comprising valve H2 operating against a spring 3. Stem I14 is of smaller diameter than passage H5 in which it moves. A groove H6 extends centrally of valve I I2 and into stem I I4 and communicates with a transverse passage I I6, as shown in Fig. '7, so that the air. supplied to air line 90 and air cylinders 82 to raise carriage 15 may slowly bleed. back into line 88 and, exhaust into atmosphere atvalve II'I. Valve H5 may be of conventional design that will connect pipe II8 with pipe 68 when pedal 4 is depressed. When pedal 4 is again allowed to return to its normal position, valve II! will connect pipe 68 to a port exhausting to atmosphere. In this manner; carriage I5 is auto-' matically permitted to return to its lower posi-' tion after the foot pedal 4 is actuated and the folded shirt removed from board I6.

It will be observed that brackets carrying rods 96 and their counterbalancing weights 9'!" are cut away at I30 to engage against upper rod 11 whereby to hold shirt folding board I6 at all times ina plane parallel to bed I when this board is swung to its lower position, as shown in Fig. 1. Board 16 will remain in thi relation to bed I during the lifting movement of carriage I5. It will therefore be apparent that the collar or neck band of the folded shirt upon board 16 will be lifted directly vertical with respect to members I0 and I4 of the former without being pressed thereagainst, say, against the rear members I4,

to break the starch and separate the layers of material forming the collar. In Fig. '7, the upper position of shirt folding board 16 before'it is swung to its tilted position about its pivotal mounting'upon lower rod I8 is shown in dotted lines. In this upper position, board 16 still remains parallel to bed I. To assist in removing the collar or theneckband of the folded shirt" from the former 6. when carriage 1-5 is raised and board 16 is lifted with the folded'shirt"thereon, I preferably proportion piston head l9 and air cylinder 38-with respect to the pistonheadstfi and air cylinders 82 to cause. piston head 29 to operate in advance. of the piston heads" 83. Hence, the former .6 may be contracted slightly in advance of the raising movement of carriage" 15 and board 16, so that this former is contracted important advantage; in raising board I6 in a horizontal position:v by, the vertical movement-of 2,809,607. carriage l is the fact that the operator is per'-;

mitted toslip'the folded shirt inahorizontal (ii-,- a keep the collar and neckband'former contracted.

rection from thisyboardwhen in its dotted line po-. sition shown in-.Fig. ,7. Movement-of the opera.- tors. hands; a; horizontal direction :is? a natural movement-and is less fatiguing. thanin a vertical I direction which was heretofore required when the shirt. fol ingfboardsmerely pivoted back whenv Y lifting the folded shirt fromthe collarv and neckband former. The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

When=,a shirt is appliedffaceldownon the table or bed] and the neckband orcollar is insertedin recess-5 about-themembers' 1.0. and H of the formerfi, the latterwillbe in' contracted position by .reason of: the preceding operation of depresstion. During the period between folding operations,-air, cylinder will. remaincharged and .From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have .provided certain improvepurposes-because the collar has been set and the shirt folded immediately after ironing along. asnatural center line. After the shirt has been,

g-jspread and centered upon bed I, it is firmly held ing. pedal 4, which charges air cylinder tocon' i tract these members Land .14. against the. tensionpfzspringfli.v .Thecollar orrneckbandis thus.

band about said members. I0 and I4 until his cenin this relation while thesides of the shirt are folded over the board 'so thatit is impossible for any shifting before the folding stepsare completed.

3 ithout furtherelaboratiomthe foregoing will so fully explainv thegist of my invention that others may,v by applying zcurrent knowledge,

tered and the operator brings the'tail'endofthe button: stripg.3'l in alignment between transparent' windows and-"s6; In so doing, the operaimmediately: expandto permit the operator to pull the :button .strip 31 tautas the clamp 52' is swung into shirtigripping position, as shown in Fig.xl0. The operation between the former 6 and-the clamp 52 may be timed to permit the tain, features, which may properly be said to constitute the essential items. of novelty'involved,,

1 which items are intended to be defined and securedto me by the following claims.

former G to expandmomentarily beforeclamp 52 is dropped intoits operative position to grip the shirts" ,7 The usual cardboard:stiffener'maythen be inserted in clips [20' projecting froin'the under-' side o'ftheshirt'folding board-"l6 and this board swung downwardly so thatthe stiffener isJb'etween the shirt and the folding board. ''The sides ofthe shirt-are successively folded over the-lon- I gitudinal edges of the folding board with eachsleeve: foldedto extend longitudinally of the 'acent the nd thereof-"and-to'then fold upwardly oversaidjend edge the tail portion and cuffs "of. the shirt, the'clamp 52 being flippedba'ck'to up-f per pos'ition'to release the tail of g the Shirt adja centithe windows'35 and 36 during this opera--' tion. A band fromthetband magazine, [06' y then beapp liedaboutthefolded shirt; 2

inoperative position i'andstep upon foot pedal 4 to-"cause air' tofliiow through'air lines 3l and 90; f This step in thefbperation will immediatelycause" the former 6 to contract and momentarily. there after cause carriage 151 30 move upwardly'whereby to raisethe shirt folding bofar dis a .vertical direction but in a plan at all Iti ines;paral1el. toibe'd' l.j "When thisgboardflli moves 'to its up er"; position, as shown, in dottedlines in Fig 'lgtiie 5 operator removes the folded shirt by Slipping. it I outwardly from the free end of the board. byga The o erator ay 'thnlift clamp me to its f claim:

.1.IA shirt folding. table including a shirt re ceiving bed provided: with arecess, an exparia sible 'neckband former'in said recess, aboard disposed above said-bed and over which the edges;

of'the shirt are'folded,"and means to raise and -'-;lower said board in a perpendicular direction with respect to said expansible neckband former and thereby keep said board during its movement toward and away from said formerin a plane parallel to said bed; a

A shirtfolding t 'ble including a shirt reciving 'bed provided with a recess, an expansible neclcband'former in saidrecess, a board disposed above said bed and over which the edges o fl'the shirt are folded, a carriage for supporting said'board, and means to raise and lower said carriage the movement of said carriage moving said board' perpendicularly with respect to said expansible' neclrband former whereby to keep the same said board substantially parallel to said-bed in its movement toward and away from said former.

'53. A shirt folding table including a shirt receiving bed provided with a recesaan'eXpansible neckband former in said recess, a board-disposed above said bed and over which the edges .ofthe shirt are folded, a carriage-for supporting" said board, said bed havingwan opening through which'said carriage extends, and means for moving said carriage vertically through said 4. A shirt :folding'table including a' shifttr ceiving bed providedwith a recess, a neckband r former in said recess, aboard disposed above said horizontal'fmovemerit r her hands; board. 1

is then tilted backwardly: to theposition shown. in Figs.,2. and 3 WhenlpedalA is released,: ai r willslowly exhaust from air cylinders 82 through air-"release.valvefi 'l and -exhaust to atmosphere bed and over which the (edges of the. shirt are folded, a carriage forsupporting said'board, said bed having an opening through which said carriage extends, and air. controlled means for: operatingsaid carriage, the supportfor said board on-said carriage 'beinggsoconstructed and arranged'that the-movement of saidcarriage automatically liftssaid board vertically spect to said neckband former.. J

5. A shirt folding table. including a shirt receivin bed provided with a recess, :a collar and neckbandformer in said-recess, a board disposed with reshirt are folded; a carriage forsupporting ,saidboardsaid bed having an. opening through which said carriage extends, .ai controlled means for operating said carriage andliiting said board verticallywith respectto said. former, and auto-. matic bleeding. means. for releasing the air; pres sure. actuating said carriage'to return. saidboard;

to its lower positionafter a. predetermined period.

.6; A hirt folding table including a shirt re-..;

ceiving bed provided witha recess, collar and neckband former in said recess, a board disv posed above said bed andover which the. edges ofthe shirt. arefolded, a mounting Ifor said board;

and means, for movably supporting said. mounting; withrespect. to saidrbed and for moving said:-

board. verticallyxaway from over said formerin its movementto lift the collar of. the shirt-from.

said former.

7-. A. shirt folding tame including a shirt receiving bed provided with a. recess, an. expansible collar'anda neckband dormer in. said recess,.. a, board disposed above said former andover which;

the. edges. otzth'e shirt are folded, a carriage for supportingzsaid boardymeans for movably sup-. porting said carriage with respect to said bed the.

support for said board on said carriage being so: ".onstructed and arranged that the: movement of. said carriage moves said board verticallyaway from over said former, and means for expanding said former when receiving a collar orneckbandor a shirt and for contracting-said former when.

the same. is removed,.-both of saidmeans includ ingimechanism for efiecting contraction or saidformer in release the collar or neckband, there-. from prior to the vertical-.movementof saidboard to move the: shirt folded thereon away from said bed.

8. A shirt folding table includingaa shirt receivingbed. provided with a recess, an expansible collar: and neckband former in said recess a, boardsdisposed above said former andover which theed es. (if. the shirtware 'folded., a. carriage .for

supportingsaid board, means for contracting-and expanding said, former, means for moving said carriage and said board vertically'awayfrom said,

former, nd means for efiecting said last two operations in a predetermined sequence whereby said former will'first contract and said board; will then be lifted vertically away. from said.

former. v

9-. A- shirt folding table including cei-ving. bed provided with a recess, an expanincludin nan air chamber for effecting the actuating movement and. a spring for; .effectingthe. return. movement, .a-source of 1 airsupply nnd; means toucontrol' the flowof air supplied to each 1 of: said air chambers;

10.: A shirt folding table. including-fie; shirt receiving bed provided. with. a recess, an. expansible collar and neckband. .former in said. recess," a board disposed-above said former and over which the edges of the shirt are folded, a carriage for supporting said board, means for expandingand' contracting said former, means for vertically moving said carriage to. move said board vertically away from/said former, eachoat said means 1 including an air chamber for effecting the acts-- a; shirt re agaaaoo'i above: said bed and over which the edgesolf the atlng movement and 'a. spring 10-ieffecting thereturn movement, a source of air supply, and means to control the flow of air supplied to each of sai'd airchambers, the air chamber effecting the actuating movement or said former being oflarger cross-sectionalarea' than the air chamber effecting the actuating movement of said carriage whereby toinitiate the actuation of said former prior to any actuating movement of saidv carriage.

11. A shirt folding table including a shirt receiving bed provided with. a recess, an expansible collar and neckband former in said recess, a boarddisposed above said former and. over which: the edges. of the shirt are folded, a carriage for supporting said; board, means for expanding and contracting. said tormen. means for. vertically moving said carriage to move said board vertically away from said former, each of said means 20' including an air chamber for effecting the actuating movement and a spring for efiecting. the return movement, a source of: air supply, means to control the flow oiair supplied to each of said airchambers, the air chamber effecting the actu- 'ating movement of said former being of larger cross-sectional. area thanv the air chamber efiect theactuating movement of said. carriage whereby to initiate the actuation of said. former prior toany actuating movement of said carriage, and means. for thereafter bleeding the air remains in its actuated position.

12. A. shirt'foldingtable including a shirt receiving bed provided with a recess, an expansible' collar-and neckband former insaid recess, shirt centering and aligning means at the opposite endoisaid bed, said means indicatingthe position of thebutton strip of the shirt with respect to its a collar positioned about said former, and an actu-.

atoradapted forbperation by contact with the hand of the:- operator in centering the shirt by said indicating means to effect expansion of said former.

centeringand aligning means at theopposite end of said bed, said means indicating the position of the button stripof the shirt with. respect to its collar positioned about said former, a clamp. to hold theshirt adjacent said means after it is spreadupon said bed and the. button strip is properly centered, or aligned with the collar, and.

end of the bed, and an actuator adapted to effect expansion of said former and actuation of said clamp.

15. Ash-.irt folding table including a shirt receiving bed, shirt centering and aligning means at one end of said bed, a clamp for gripping the shirt at said end of the bed, and an actuator en.- gageable by the hand of the operator in center ing theshirt by' said' means for actuating said clamp. g v l '16. A shirt folding table includinga shirt re- 13. A shirt folding table including a shirt re-. ceiving bed provided with, a recess, an expansible: collar and neckband former in said recess, shirtsaid carriage to, raise said board perpendicularly ceiving bed, shirt centering and aligning means at'oneend of saidbed, a clamp for gripping the shirt at said end of thebed, an actuator engageable by the hand of the operator in centering the'shirt by said means for actuating said clamp, and means for holdingsaid-clamp in gripping position independently of said actuator.

' 1'7. A shirt folding table'including a shirt receiving bed, shirt centering and; aligning means at one end of said bed, a clamp for grippingthe shirt at said end ofthe bed, an actuator engage aligning means alsocarried by said bed; a clamp for gripping the shirt as it is centered and aligned,-an actuator adapted to be operated to expand said former and to move said clamp into shirt gripping position, a board disposed above said former and over which the edges of the shirt are folded, a carriage for said board, said carable by the hand of the operator in centering the shirt by said means for actuating said clamp, and means for holding said clamp in gripping position independently of said'actuator, said clamp being returnable to its open position by manual operation. Y

, 1 v18.A shirt folding table including a shirt re-' pendicularly with: respect to said former, and

operating mechanism including pedal means and connections extending .to said operating parts for, actuating said former to-contracted position and for causing. said carriage to raise said board perpendicularly with respect to said former.

19. Ashirt folding table includinga shirt 'reriage being movable to raise and lower said boardperpendicularly with respect to "said former, and operating mechanism including connections extending to said operating parts and a le-' ver adapted to be operated after the shirt is folded to contract said formerand actuate said carriage to lift said board. I g 22. A shirt folding table including a shirt receiving bed, an expansible collar and neckband former carried by said bed, a shirt centering and aligning means also carried by said bed, a clamp for gripping the shirt as it is centered and aligned, an actuator adaptedto be operated to expand said former andto move said clamp into shirt'g-ripping' position, a board disposed above said former and over which the edges of the shirt are folded, a carriage for said board, said carriage being movable to raise and lower said board perpendicularly with respect to said former, and operating mechanism including connections extendingto said operating parts and a leveradapted to be operated after said shirt is folded, said connections comprising a source of;

, air supply, air lines extending from said source ceivingibed, an expansible collar and neckban d:

former, at one end of said bed, shirt centering and aligning means at the opposite end of 'said bed, a clamp for gripping the shirt at said opposite end of said bed, an actuator engageable' byv the,hand of the operator when centering the shirtfor actuating said former to expand the same, and for actuating said. clamp into shirt gripping position, a board disposed above said {ormerand over whichthe edges of the shirt are-folded, acarriagexfor said board, said carriage being movable to raiseand lower said board perpendicularly with respect to said former, and operating mechanism including connections extending to said operatingparts for actuating said former to ,contractedrposition and for causing.

' expand said former and to'move said clamp into shirt gripping position, a board disposed above saidformer and over which the edges of the shirtarefolded, a carriage for said board, said carriage being movable to raise and lower said boardperpendicularly with respect to said form- QB-and operating mechanism including connections'to said operating parts for actuatingsaid former to contracted position and for causing said carriage to raise said boardperpendicularly with respect to said former.

,;-21.,l A,shirt folding .table including a shirt re-' fiii'vingu bed; anexpan'sible collar and neckband- 7 fmim lfiparriedby said bed ashirtcentering andof air supply to said carriage, said former and'to said actuator, and I a mechanical connection between said actuator and said clamp, said; actu ator when operated causing the air to bleed'from' the line leading to said former to release the same soasto permit it to move to expanded position, said lever when actuated"v causing the lines leading to said former and said carriage'to be charged whereby to contract said former and to lift said carriage, 23. A'shirt folding table including a shirt receiving b'ed, an expansible collar and neckband former-carried by said bed, a shirt centering and aligning means also carried by said bed, an actuator adapted to be operated to actuate said former, a board disposed above said former-and overwhichthe edges of the shirt are folded, a carriagef for said board, said carriage being movableto raise and lower said board, and operating mechanism including connections extending to saidoperatingparts and a lever adaptedto be actuated, said connections comprising a source of air supply, air lines extending from said source ofair supplyto said carriage, said'former and to'said actuator, 'saidactuator when actuated former carried by said bed, a shirt centering and:

aligning means-also carried by said bed, said bed having a recess therein adjacent said shirt centering and'aligning means, an actuator disposed in said recess and extending above said bed adapted to be engaged and depressed, and a connection between said former and said actuator for operating said former when said actuator is depressed.

' 2 5; Ashirt folding table including a shirt receiving bed, an expansible collar and 'neckband" former carried by said bed, a shirt centering and aligning- -me'ans'also carried by said bed, said;

comprising a pair of spaced apart windows in said bed between which thebutton strip of the shirtis laid to center and align the shirt after itscollaris placed upon said former, an actuator movably embedded in said bed between said windows adapted to be actuated during the centering and aligning of the shirt, a clamp for gripping theshirt as it is centered and aligned, and a connection between actuator and said clamp for swinging said clamp into shirt gripping position when said actuator is actuated.

27. A shirt folding table including a shirt receiving bed, a pivotally tiltable clamp movable to shirt gripping position at one end of said bed to engage and grip a shirt, 2. pivotally mounted bracket engaging said clamp to tilt the same to shirt gripping position, and a pivotally mounted actuator engaging said bracket to actuate said bracket. n

. 28. A shirt' folding table including a shirtree ceiving bed, a pivotally tiltable clamp movable to shirt gripping position at one end of said bed, a pivotally mounted bracket engaging, said clamp totiltthe same to shirt gripping position, and an actuator operable manually by the operator in spreading the shirt upon said bed for actuating said bracket. i p

29. A shirt folding table including a shirt re ceiving bed, a pivotally tiltable clamp movable to shirt gripping position at one of said bed to engage and grip a shirt, a bracket engaging said clamp to tilt the same to shirt gripping position, and a pivotally mounted actuator engaging'said bracket to actuate said bracket.

; 3D. A shirt folding table including a shirt re-- ceiving bed, a tiltable clamp movable to shirt gripping position upon said bed, a bracket engaging said clamp to tilt the same to shirt gripping position, and an actuator operable manually by the operator in spreading the shirt upon said bed for actuating said bracket. .31. A shirt folding table including a shirt, receiving bed, a pivotally mounted clamp, an overcenter spring for holding said clamp in'shirt gripping position or in open position, an arm adapted when actuated to engage saidclamp to tiltthe same and cause said over-center spring, to complete the movement of said clamp by a snap action, said .arm having an adjustable portion to determine the amount of movement of said arm necessary to cause tilting of said clamp, and an actuator for operating. said arm, the amount of movement of said arm to cause tilting of said clamp determining the sensitiveness of said a same and cause said over-center spring to com: plete the movement of said clamp. bya snap ;ac.-,

iii

assacor tion, said arm having, an adjustable portion, to determine the amount of movement of said arm necessar to cause tilting of said clamp, and an actuator embedded in said bed andpositioned to be engageable by the hand of the operator in centering said shirt by said centering and aligning means for operating said arm. the amount of movement of said arm to cause tilting of said clamp determining the sensitiveness of said actuator.

33.. Ashirt folding table including a. shirt receiving bed, an expansible collar and neckband former carried by said bed, a clamp for gripping the shirt at its tail end, an actuator adapted to aligning means also carried by said bed, a clamp for gripping the shirt as it is centered and aligned,

a movable board over which the edges of the shirt are folded, an actuator adapted to be opera ated to expand said former and to move said clamp into shirt gripping position, and operating mechanism including connections extending to said operating parts for operating the same and means to lift said board away from said former.

35. A shirt folding table including a shirt receiving bed, an expansible collar and neckband former carried by said bed, a shirt centering and aligning means also carried by said bed, a clamp for gripping theshirt as it is centered and aligned, a movable board over which the edges of the shirt are folded, an actuator adapted to be operated to expand said former and to move said clamp into shirt gripping position, and operating mechanism including connections extending to said operating parts for operating the same and means to lift said board away from said former and simultaneously to contract said former.

.36. A shirt folding table, comprising a frame having a stationary topprovided with a surface on which a shirt may be arranged for folding,

said table top being provided with a recess in" said'top surface to receive the neckband portion of a shirt lying face downupon the table and with a light transmitting means spaced from said recess, said means comprising a pair of spacedapart windows in said table top between which the, button strip of the shirt is laid to center and align the shirt on the table top after its collar is placedin said recess, a light source for illummating :said means, a folding blade movably'connected with said table top for raising and lowering movement toward and away from a shirt 'lyingupon it, said blade having smooth side edges so that a shirt folded about said blade may be easily removed, the side edges of said blade when in lowered position :being symmetrically disposed on either side :of the center line connecting said recess and said means.

37. A shirt folding table, comprising a frame having a stationary top provided with a surface on which a shirt may be arranged for folding, said table top being provided with a recess in said: topsurf-ace to receive the neckband portion Y 2,369,007 a I or a shirt lying face down upon the table and with a light transmitting means; spaced from said recess, said means comprising a pair of spaced-apart narrow elongated windowsin' said button strip of the'shirt is laid to center and align the shirt on the table top after the collar is placed in said recess, a light source.fo r, illuminating said means, a folding blade movably connected with said table top'for raising and lowering movement toward and away from a shirt lying upon it, said blade having smooth side edges.

i so thata shirt folded about said blade may be easily removed; the side edgesoi said blade when and aligning means also carried by said bed and spaced from said neokband former, said means said bed between'which the button strip of the table top between which and parallel thereto the 5 shirt is laid to center and align the shirt'after its collar is placed upon said former, and a light source forilluminating said windows. I

39. A shirt folding table including a shirt respaced from said neckband former, said means comprising a pair of spaced-apart narrow elongated windows in said bedbetween which the in lowered position being symmetrically disposed us button strip of the shirt is laidto center and on either side of the center line connecting said recess and saidmea'ns; I

as. A shirt folding table including a shirt receiving bed, an expansible collar and neckband alignthe shirt afterits collar is placed upon said former, and a light source for illuminating said windows. g

. ROY J. RIECK.

former carried by said bed, a shirt centering a CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,569,60'L February 15, 191.5.

' ROY J. RIECK.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the. printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page LL, second column, line 52, for "Valve 115" read -Valve ll7-; page 5, second col' umn, line I49, claim 2, strike out the words "the same"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of June, A.'D. 19Lu5.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

